Flexible support member with high pushability

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the field of medical devices, and in particular, to a medical device for delivering a medical implant to a patient's body, the device having a pushing member that is constructed of tubes arranged coaxially.

1 . A pushing member of a medical device for delivering a medical implant to a site in a patient's body, comprising: 
 a first hollow body of having a periphery, a first end, a second end, and a preselected length;    a second hollow body having a periphery a first end, a second end, and a preselected length;    the second body retained within the interior of the first body;    wherein the first and second bodies are each provided with at least one opening in each respective periphery, said opening extending around the body and longitudinally for a portion of the length of the respective bodies.    
   
   
       2 . The pushing member of  claim 1  wherein the first and second hollow bodies are cylindrical.  
   
   
       3 . The pushing member of  claim 1  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies are helical.  
   
   
       4 . The pushing member of  claim 3  wherein the first and second hollow bodies are cylindrical.  
   
   
       5 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at a constant pitch.  
   
   
       6 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at pitches that vary with respect to the longitudinal position on the bodies.  
   
   
       7 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the opening in the first and hollow body extends at a pitch of an orientation opposite to the orientation of the pitch of the opening in the second hollow body.  
   
   
       8 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at a pitch having an angle, measured from a line perpendicular to the axis of the device, that is between about 2° and about 60°.  
   
   
       9 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at a pitch having an angle, measured from a line perpendicular to the axis of the device, that is between about 5° and about 45°.  
   
   
       10 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at a pitch having an angle, measured from a line perpendicular to the axis of the device, that is between about 10° and about 25°.  
   
   
       11 . The pushing member of  claim 4  wherein the openings in the first and second hollow bodies extend at a pitch having an angle, measured from a line perpendicular to the axis of the device, that is  10 °.  
   
   
       12 . A medical device for delivering a medical implant to a site in a patient's body comprising an outer sheath, an inner shaft coaxial with the outer sheath, wherein the inner shaft is comprised of a pushing member, comprising: 
 a first hollow body of having a periphery, a first end, a second end, and a preselected length;    a second hollow body having a periphery a first end, a second end, and a preselected length;    the second body retained within the interior of the first body;    wherein the first and second bodies are each provided with at least one opening in each respective periphery, said opening extending around the body and longitudinally for a portion of the length of the respective bodies, wherein the opening in the first cylindrical hollow body extends at a pitch of an orientation opposite to the orientation of the pitch of the opening in the second cylindrical hollow body.    
   
   
       13 . A pushing member of a medical device for delivering a medical implant to a site in a patient's body, comprising a first cylindrical hollow body of having a periphery, a first end, a second end, and a-preselected length; 
 a second cylindrical hollow body having a periphery-a first end, a second end, and a preselected length;    the second body retained within the interior of the first body;    wherein the first and second bodies are each provided with helical openings in each respective periphery, said opening extending around the body and longitudinally for a portion of the length of the respective bodies; wherein the opening in the first cylindrical hollow body extends at a pitch of an orientation opposite to the orientation of the pitch of the opening in the second cylindrical hollow body.